Roy Cooper’s Chances of Flipping North Carolina GOP Senate Seat Surge—Poll
Summary
Democrat Roy Cooper is leading Republican Michael Whatley in a recent poll for North Carolina’s 2026 Senate race. Cooper has gained support while Whatley’s approval ratings and name recognition remain lower. The race is important because the current Republican Senator Thom Tillis is not running again, and the state is a key battleground.Key Facts
- Roy Cooper, a Democrat and former governor, leads Michael Whatley, a Republican and former RNC chair, by about 11 points in the latest poll.
- The poll surveyed 600 likely North Carolina voters in May 2026 with a 4-point margin of error.
- Cooper is better known with nearly 50% of voters having a favorable opinion; over half of voters are unfamiliar with Whatley.
- Incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis will not seek re-election in 2026.
- President Donald Trump has a low approval rating in North Carolina, with about 42% approval and 57% disapproval.
- North Carolina has voted Republican in recent presidential and Senate races but has elected Democrats for governor.
- Rising gas prices and economic concerns have negatively impacted Trump’s popularity, which may affect Republican candidates.
- The race is considered one of the best chances for Democrats to win a Senate seat in North Carolina, a state they haven’t won in a Senate election since 2008.
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